A dirty oven can quickly become one of the most frustrating areas of the kitchen. Grease, baked-on food, and spills can build up over time, making the oven look difficult to clean.
The good news is that you don’t always need an expensive oven cleaner. A simple combination of dish soap, hot water, and a little baking soda can help loosen everyday grime and make the cleaning process much easier.
Here is a simple step-by-step method.
Step 1: Make Sure the Oven Is Completely Cool
Before cleaning, turn the oven off and allow it to cool completely.
Never start scrubbing a hot oven with cleaning products.
Once it’s cool, remove the oven racks and set them aside.
Step 2: Remove Loose Crumbs and Debris
Before applying any cleaning mixture, remove loose food particles from the bottom and sides of the oven.
Use a dry cloth, soft brush, or paper towel to collect crumbs and larger pieces of food.
This makes the deeper cleaning much easier.
Step 3: Prepare the Cleaning Mixture
For everyday grease and grime, mix:
- A few tablespoons of dish soap
- Warm or hot water
You want a mixture that is soapy and slightly thick.
For tougher baked-on residue, you can add a small amount of baking soda to create a gentle scrubbing paste.
Don’t make the mixture excessively wet.
Step 4: Protect the Heating Elements
See more on the next page